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Lowell Council directs manager to reconsider Housing Authority pick

By Lyle Moran, lmoran@lowellsun.com

Updated:
01/08/2013 10:13:00 PM EST

LOWELL -- The City Council voted 8-1 Tuesday night to direct City Manager Bernie Lynch to reconsider his appointment of Samkhann Khoeun to the Lowell Housing Authority's board of commissioners because several councilors said they were not supportive of the choice.

Councilors Rita Mercier, Rodney Elliott and Joseph Mendonca said they could not vote in favor of Khoeun because of his work with the Community of Khmer Buddhist Monks to build a $10 million temple, a project that has racked up more than 30 violations of wetlands and building regulations.

Khoeun is a member of the CKBM's executive committee and has served as a spokesman for the group.

Elliott and Mercier also highlighted that the LHA, which has had its own recent issues with complying with building regulations during its North Common Village renovations, needs a new board member who will provide oversight so that they are in compliance with local regulations.

"They need someone in there who will follow the laws and rules and will not be oblivious to what is going on," Mercier said.

The lone "no" vote on Councilor Ed Kennedy's motion to have Lynch reconsider was Elliott.

He said he wanted an up or down vote on the appointment Tuesday night.

The council was asked to confirm Lynch's appointment of Khoeun to a five-year appointment on the board.

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